Paul Drayton: Late ADHD Diagnosis, Sobriety & Starting Over
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Paul drayton
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⚠️ EXPLICIT: This episode contains strong language and mature themes, including alcoholism, addiction, and mental health struggles. Listener discretion is advised.
Episode 676 of It's Bizzy
What happens when the life that looks glamorous from the outside is quietly falling apart on the inside?
My guest today is Paul Drayton, actor and author of the memoir Ride or Die Trying: A Life Before, During, and After Laughter. Paul was raised in Sunderland in the northeast of England, built a life in London, and became widely known through his marriage to British comedian Alan Carr. Behind the public image, he was struggling with alcohol dependency, anxiety, and people-pleasing. At 50, an ADHD diagnosis changed the way he saw his past and the choices he'd made.
In this honest, funny, and deeply human conversation, Paul and I talk about:
Getting an ADHD diagnosis at 50 and how it reframed his life
The link between ADHD and self-medicating with alcohol
Why there is no one-size-fits-all path to sobriety
What it's like to be the partner behind the scenes of someone in the spotlight
Taking accountability, setting boundaries, and rebuilding when the version of life you thought you were living falls apart
How he has gotten through grief and loss without picking up a drink
We finish with my fun questions, and Paul's answer to "Life is too short to..." is one you'll want to hear.
Paul's message is simple: you can get through whatever you're facing without drinking on it, and it is never too late to start again.
📖 Get Paul's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ride-Trying-before-during-laughter-ebook/dp/B0H68D8H31
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Elizabeth Chance or It's Bizzy. I welcome conversations with people from all walks of life, and I don't agree with everything every guest says. This episode is for education and inspiration only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7). If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in the US. In the UK, Samaritans is at 116 123.
If this episode encourages you, I'd love to hear from you. Connect with me at ElizabethChance.com or on social media @itsbizzypodcast.
For coaching, podcast updates, and more, visit ElizabethChance.com.
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"Remember, you don't have to navigate the mess alone. Whether you're pivoting your career, your marriage, or your mindset, I'm here to walk that road with you. Let's make 2026 the year you finally put your own oxygen mask on first."
You are not alone. Let's get busy living.
XO
Bizzy
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